Thruway Authority Director Thomas Madison is turning up the pressure on unions (Teamsters and CSEA) who are in contract talks. The following letter went out earlier today, it comes as the Thruway has already said that layoffs are need in order to save money.

Here’s the letter that went to employees:

Dear Colleagues:

I am writing to update you on the status of our current workforce reduction plan.

Since my February 12 update, Personnel staff have been contacting employees in positions targeted for elimination as well as employees who could be displaced by those with more seniority. Employees with options to displace others are being contacted by phone. Employees without options or displacement rights are being contacted by letter.

Layoffs are scheduled to become effective the first week in April. As I have stated previously, we would prefer to achieve essential workforce savings through other means, including the collective negotiating process, so that layoffs will not be necessary.

It is important to re-emphasize that our fiscal challenges are real and short and long-term measures are required to get the Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation on sound financial footing for a sustainable future. I am very concerned about losing so many valuable, hard working and dedicated employees as a result of this workforce action. It is especially troubling to consider that these layoffs could be avoided.

Beginning in 2011, the Authority has reached out frequently to your union representatives and urged them to partner with us to address these fiscal issues. While some productive discussions have taken place, less than one month remains before the layoffs take effect and the opportunity to avoid them is quickly narrowing. I am encouraged that negotiations are scheduled with Unit 2 and Unit 3 next week and Unit 5 the following week.

As you are aware, unionized employees of the Thruway and Canal have enjoyed a more than 13-percent increase in cost of living raises since 2008 and have also received step increases and longevity payments. During this same period, the Authority has withheld raises and step increases from our non-unionized employees, yielding more than $6 million in savings to help address our fiscal challenges.

In addition, a large number of Thruway and Canal employees make no contribution at all to the cost of their health insurance coverage at a time when most other New York State government employees have seen their contributions increase for the same benefits.

Our budget can simply no longer sustain the dramatic and continuous cost increases of health insurance and pension contributions. Across the country, employers have asked employees to share in the increasing costs of operations, including health insurance and pension charges, much like New York State has done with new Tier 6 retirement category. Examples abound of both public and private employers working with unions to address fiscal problems and avoid job losses.

We are hopeful that we can address the cost of benefits in a meaningful way and achieve the savings necessary to avert layoffs. We continue to negotiate with our unions in good faith, working toward an agreement that is fair and equitable to both parties.

If we are not able to reach an agreement by April 3rd, the layoffs will occur and we will manage any impacts to ensure safe and reliable Thruway and Canal operations. We will also continue to negotiate for new agreements that achieve long-term cost savings, including in the area of workforce benefits.

Again, I understand the impact layoffs will have on affected individuals, their families, and our entire organization and I sincerely hope we can partner with union representatives to avoid them.

Sincerely,

Tom Madison

Supervisors please share this message with employees who do not have access to email.

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